Not a smash burger but a smashing successful burger at the least. Sat in the bar, great and engaging service noisy bar vibe perfect for a burger night. read more

Birch - We asked Jeff to surprise us...... - New American Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

This place is fantastic! I had the Crudo trout, focaccia, and pork chop. My friend had the mousse dessert. This is my new favorite place. My only regret is that I put off so long to try it! Thank you for a great experience! read more

Came to Birch on a weeknight for the lady's birthday dinner. I had let them know it was a special occasion and were warmly greeted by the hostess who presented a birthday card signed by all the staff - a nice touch!, also warmly greeted by our server. I started with the You fancy, huh? cocktail and it was a bit different (carrot, miso and ginger flavored) but very tasty! There was a welcome amuse bouche that was some type of savory small drink. Tasty but we think it may have had some type of oil in it which we both experienced the after effects the next day. We had the focaccia and the lamb filled pasta as starters. Both were very tasty, a great bread and butter course and very savory pasta but the pasta pieces were very small, tiny. I had the Walleye as the main and it was very tasty and with some nice sides of wild rice, asparagus and yogurt. The lady had the brick chicken which she liked - I had a bite and it was quite flavorful with the strong grill flavors - strong but not too much. I had the pecan blonde sundae for dessert which was delish and the lady had the chocolate parfait which she quite enjoyed. We loved all of the food we had. The service was welcoming but attention dropped off quite a bit after taking our order. There were no check ins by the waitress after taking our order. Also the waitress took my fork with the app dishes and new silverware wasn't brought when the mains were brought and there was no check ins so we needed to flag someone one down to get utensils. I'd say service could be improved. Overall enjoyable despite the service glitches. read more

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My husband and I wanted to go out for a nicer dinner Friday evening and one of his coworkers suggested we try Birch. It was our anniversary and we wanted something a little nicer than normal but didn't want to pay an arm or a leg. We knew we wanted to try the burgers (my husband is on a burger quest this year and heard this place is supposed to have amazing burgers), so we asked to sit in the bar area since that's the only spot they serve burgers. We were seated immediately and our service was excellent. It was nice they had tables in the bar area since I really thought we were going to be seated at the bar. Our server asked if we were celebrating something special, so we told them it was our anniversary, and they brought out a nice little appetizer for us. That was a really nice touch. You can really tell this place will go above and beyond to make sure that your time with them is great. We both got the burger and a side of the homemade potato salad. I thought my food was fine; we were there for the experience of fine dining with a burger. It wasn't the best burger I've ever had, but it was interesting and I was happy with it. My husband wasn't impressed with the burger or the potato salad. He was looking for the Maillard reaction on the burger with the cheese and it wasn't there. He also wondered if his burger was cooked properly. He is an exceptional grill master and has high standards for a burger, and I think his expectations for this weren't met. There were certainly other people who seemed to be enjoying their food and having a good time. If we come back it would certainly be to try something else off the menu and not for the burgers. Overall a nice experience and a beautiful place with great service. read more

Visited Birch for the first time for a Saturday night dinner for a party of 2. We made a reservation ahead of time and upon entrance were greeted by friendly staff. The venue is truly beautiful, floor to ceiling windows, spacious and intimate seating, and you can tell the owners were very thoughtful with the table / seat placement. The food was great. We tried many dishes from the à la carte menu, notably the asparagus, brick chicken, and contramar-inspired fish were wonderful. The fish was served with a homemade masa tortilla which we really enjoyed. I like how the restaurant focuses on seasonal ingredients and did so in a simplistic but flavorful way. The staff were also so nice with writing a handwritten card for my partner for her birthday. Highly recommend! read more

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When I want to go try new places, I go for happy hour. That way I don't mind if I'm disappointed. Trust me though, I was not disappointed by Birch. The bar program is good and the bar food is excellent. The shrimp skewers were tasty and were even tastier of you ate them with the herbs that they served. They aren't just a garnish. The burger was excellent! The bun was a little too sweet (think a Hawaiian style bun) but that was a minor quibble. We will come back here for dinner and re-review once we've had a full meal. I'm hoping to go up to 5* afterward. Looking forward to it! read more

Birch - Bar Burger - New American Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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The food was great! However our server was hostile. I have never had my plate taken away from me mid bite in my life. Beyond disappointed in the service. Never again! Sorry Lola read more

Date of visit: July 29, 2025 Definitely one of the more difficult reviews that I have submitted, and really would be easier I could go 3.5! First, the good: Easy to make a reservation through OpenTable (nothing throws a bigger wrench in my Type A plans than waiting 30 minutes for a table!), and unlike many establishments, they do actually read the comments you place in the reservation and there was a nice touch for our friend's birthday with a card signed by the staff. Also the decor is lovely with soft wood, large windows, and crisp table linens. Staff are all in traditional black, sans name tags, they have worked hard to define their brand through their look and their outdoor seating overlooks the fashionable Denim Park. The focaccia is hands down the best item on the menu; the bread is served warm (as all bread should be served) and the ricotta that comes with it is so buttery I thought it was butter! But the top is very difficult to cut through, even with the extra knife they brought. I say sanitize your hands and rip the damn thing, it will just be easier! On the not so good side: The menu is limited and overpriced for the volume of the dishes, such as the $14 ice cream that was barely enough for a single person. Don't get me wrong, it was very good, but all three of us could have had ice cream from Purple Door for less than the price of this one dish. The spaghetti entree was half a portion for about $20 and I did not care for the tomatoes served in the dish. The lemon pasta with corn was much better but is is VERY zesty, so consider that if that isn't your thing. It can be very hard to hear and staff appears to be trained not to bend down, which had us repeating ourselves often or asking staff to repeat themselves. read more

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The expression "quality over quantity" aligns very well to Birch. The food is high quality, professionally crafted, and leaves you wanting more after each bite. The portions are on the smaller end, which is great for those who aren't wanting to have a to-go box or are watching their caloric intake. Birch creates a welcoming environment in the daytime and nighttime. The most recent visit was an evening dinner, where I ordered the Wood-Roasted Carrots, Ember-Roasted Walleye, and the Sweet Potato Cheesecake. All were delicious, although I was pleasantly surprised that the carrots were supposed to be served cold! My favorite was the walleye because of the wonderful, complex flavors within it and how fresh the fish was. I grew up eating fried walleye, so I was very intrigued how this would taste and it did not disappoint. I am also a cheesecake snob, and the sweet potato cheesecake was absolutely sensational. It was difficult not to order a second! Go visit Birch! You will not be disappointed. read more

Birch - Wood Roasted Carrots - New American Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Birch has long been my favorite spot in Milwaukee! We love to sit in the bar area when we're in the mood for a burger (best burger in town IMO). However, we also love the dining room, especially the chef's counter, where we sat this time. Watching the chefs work and call out orders is like watching a well orchestrated concert. You will be highly entertained by the precision in plating, but also how they work efficiently to ensure diners are getting the highest quality experience. The Birch menu is perfect for splitting multiple items. We usually start with the focaccia w/ whipped ricotta and one of the pastas (the stuffed ravioli rotates seasonally and is ALWAYS divine). This time we also got the crab pasta and the beet salad, which was bursting with so many flavors- a must get if you like beets. We ended with the brick chicken, which they split on two plate for us, and the blonde brownie. Always fabulous! read more

Birch - Stuffed ravioli - New American Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Easy to get a last minute reservation for a Thursday night dinner. We were here to celebrate an accomplishment, and our server arranged for us to have a special walleye appetizer on the house. This was a very nice touch. He was extremely attentive and kept our waters full plus he immediately came to wipe up a small spill barely moments after he saw it happened. Food: The food was divine. We ordered lamb ribs as a starter, they were perfectly tender and well seasoned. They arrived shortly after we ordered them, along with a small wipe for our fingers. The pasta was fresh, delicious, and well complemented by the sauce and herbs. The pork chop is a very generous portion and perfectly prepared - "amazing" is the exact word my partner described it as. Drinks: Short but creative cocktail list with a good number of options that include mezcal. Our first course of drinks we ordered one from the menu that was well liked by my partner and I tried to order a gin fizz - my drink of choice - but was instead offered a Tom Collin's. This was good enough, but I would hope to have more variety of cocktails to accommodate an egg white drink. Our second order of drinks was a ramp martini and a manhattan. The martini was very garlicky as to be expected from a ramp based drink - unique flavor profile. I would have liked to see more N/A cocktail options. Ambiance: Well appointed restaurant that was bustling on a Thursday night. Ample natural light and healthy looking plants. read more

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Such a thoughtfully curated menu for food and cocktails. Changing with the seasons keeps you coming back for a great experience. Service has been amazing each time I've been. Location is perfect for meeting up with a friend, colleague or date night. It's has become one of my favorites. read more

Birch has become a favorite spot for my husband I. We've had 2 phenomenal experiences sitting at the 'chef's counter' and ordering their tasting menu. The vibe in the restaurant is energizing and exciting - we really enjoy watching the kitchen work seamlessly, it always sparks fun conversation throughout our dining experience. The staff is so professional and informative, they really do a nice job tagging in and supporting each other to ensure that their dinner service runs like a well-oiled machine. We kicked off this visit with espresso martinis which let me tell you, I don't normally go for something like this, but we were headed to a concert and it felt appropriate. They were SO good. We opted for tequila and I highly recommend going this route vs. vodka. They have an espresso machine behind the bar so they know how to make them right here :). The tasting menu is incredibly generous and fairly priced for the quality and amount of food you receive. It is a 7-course meal that leaves you satisfied and feeling like you've gotten to taste everything on the menu. We decided after doing dinner here the first time that this is the only way we will ever order here! Some highlights from the tasting menu for us were the beef tartare with a farm egg crepe & yuzu kosho aioli, Autumn Frost Squash Soup (the flavors!!!), the hot-smoked steelhead troute with a smoked hot ham hock broth & sweet turnips, and the slow-cooked beef-filled pasta. The flavors are just bursting with every dish and the presentation is beautiful. Truly such a gem of a spot and they know how to make your experience memorable - don't walk, run to Birch! And do the tasting menu! read more

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Dinner date at Birch did not disappoint! We started winter citrus salad and garlic focaccia with house-made ricotta, then moved on to the brick chicken and contramar-inspired fish, which was so, so good. Wrapped it all up with the goat's milk cheesecake. The meal was paced perfectly and each dish was plated beautifully. All of the contrasts in textures and vibrant colors...every bite was incredible. The open kitchen provided a chance to see the action - it was impressive. We appreciated the spiritless beverage options - the grapefruit spritz was great. Our server was so helpful and attentive, all of the staff were very friendly, and the vibes were super chill. Can't wait to go back! read more

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Simply stated, one of the finest restaurants we have been to in years. Everything was spot on from the greeting at the door to the floor manager saying goodbye as we left. Service was impeccable (thank you Sonya), dishes were removed without notice, our drinks were served as we were still discussing the menu, timing was perfect and friendly. The food was delicious! My husband and I shared the beet salad, shrimp skewers, focaccia, walleye, chicken and blond brownie. Each dish was perfection. If I were at home I would have licked the dressing off the bowl of the beet salad. We left with the impression that the staff genuinely cares about providing diners with an exceptional experience and the chefs take pride in each dish that is served. Thank you, Birch! read more

I came here for a girls' night, and it was delicious! We ordered the garlic focaccia for the table, which was good with the butter on the side. It was nice and flavorful. For my entree, I was in the mood for steak, so I ordered the dry-aged New York strip, which came with chimichurri on top. It was cooked perfectly and was very flavorful. An oil and green purse on the bottom was nicely paired with the meat. The food came out quickly and the service was great. read more

Birch - Dry aged NY Strip - New American Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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I came here on a weeknight to celebrate my birthday & it was a lovely time! The vibes were great and the restaurant was very comfortable. The staff were attentive and very nice. Drinks: O' Mama: this drink was so clear that looks clear water with a rosemary sprig! However the taste of the cocktail was well balanced and tasty. Birch Manhattan: a nice fall drink. Food: Ricotta Roe Tomato Bites: wow! So creamy and umami bite to start off the meal. What a nice surprise! Ricotta Filled Pasta: This was so delicious. The pasta was perfectly cooked and the chanterelles gave such an umami bite! Contramar- Inspired Fish: loved this inspired dish from the Mexico City Restaurant Contramar. The fish was cooked well and I loved the acidity of the dish. The freshly made tortillas had a great texture and went well with the fish. Brick Chicken: this perfectly seasoned crispy chicken dish was great! The peaches were so sweet and I loved the sweet and salty bites. read more

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I went to Birch for dinner with my wife for her birthday. We were seated right away and the host brought her a happy birthday card signed by all the staff which was a lovely gesture. Birch has a modern vibe. For food we shared a few dishes: Birch Manhattan: A nice boozy fall drink. A great take on a classic drink. Ricotta roe tomato bite: Packed with flavor and a great start to a wonderful meal. The roe and tomato paired well with the creamy ricotta and added a burst of brightness to this amuse. Ricotta filled pasta: Pasta was very tender and cooked to perfection. The richness of the ricotta paired well with the very sweet corn. Loved the inclusion of chantrelles. I would come back to eat this dish over and over again. Brick chicken: So good, very crispy skin on this chicken with just the right salt levels. I really enjoyed the bean salad which brought a lot of freshness to the dish Overall I really enjoyed my meal at Birch. All the food was great and the service was top notched. I can't wait to go back again. read more

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Went for the happy hour and was not disappointed one bit. The veggie appetizer was delicious and fun, my girlfriend who prefers fresh veggies over them cooked was so happy. Service was prompt and the manager was always doing rounds making sure everyone was pleased which was a nice thing to see. We got in right when the happy hour started and the bar was about half full and the dining area was pretty empty but got quite busy as the night continued. Gorgeous inside and love seeing the food being prepared. My burger was outstanding and the potato salad was remarkable and I hate potato salad usually. My girlfriend was very pleased with her chicken dish and I loved her side dish of a salad w roasted carrots, but again she kind of ate around the cooked veggies but loved everything else. Eclectic menu so if you're with a picky eater, you may want to preface them to look at the menu before hand. read more

Birch - Veggie appatizer - New American Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

So much to love about this place! Me and 3 friends made a reservation for a Friday night and had no problems being sat. Not a guarantee at all popular spot on a weekend! We all did the tasting menu and I myself did the wine pairing. Arturo did an amazing job preparing us for our orders and describing the dishes. The attention to detail from him was top tier. One of our party had a shellfish allergy and they were easily able to adjust their tasting menu to our friend's allergy. Each dish was better than the last, so fresh and so intentional with each plate's ingredients and composition. The sommeliers went above and beyond talking about the wine's origin and why it was paired with each dish. It's so nice to have a destination place like this in MKE. Thanks Arturo et al! read more

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Very disappointing. Server brought the wrong items to our tables. Tiny amount of wine was in a glass. Carrots and beets were nothing in flavor. All entrees were way over salted. Pork chop was better at my house. Steak medium rare arrived bloody. Dessert menu was brought before entrees were served. Birch is obviously resting on its laurels and has become complacent and lackadaisical. read more

We got reservations for a Friday at 6:30. It was pretty busy. There's limited chef visiting bar spots. You can see that area if you stand up or go to the bathroom as well. I'd rather have a table. There's a bar on the side if you get there early. The hostesses were very pleasant and had fancy dinner vibes. Closer to 4.5 than 4 rating. We did the $86 tasting menu. This rotates but looked better than the regular menu. Both more list the ingredients than say what the dish is. It was nice you could decide if you wanted the tasting menu on the spot. They let me sub a chicken item from the menu since I don't eat lamb. The server did do the wrong wine for one course, then gave some extra. We waited for a beer for 20 minutes. The beer was super cold. 8/10 Super tasty cucumber sandwich cake with a bit of cream cheese taste and the caviar makes it taste like lox. The ham thing tastes like a breakfast sausage. 10/10 spaghetti squash tostada starts with a great ricotta and some salty bitterness from the kale. Meanwhile Theres some umami from something, 6/10 leak and walleye. First it's dilly then salty then sweet then salty again. The leaks are okay. 3/10 The hot smoked trout is very smokey. I'm guessing smoke was added. The sauce is cream, probably celery root, the nuts add texture but in general didn't make sense and not tasty. Too sweet. 8/10 The chicken under a bridge had an amazing dry rub. A tiny bit salty for me but no one else. I could eat that whole chicken. Honestly, the way the salad explored vinaigrette and citrus was super eye opening. 9/10 BBQ quail. The sweet potato was crazy. Kinda bacon. Kinda bbq. This sounds not like a compliment but it is: the quail is like the best juiciest rotisserie chicken ever. 7/10 Apple crisps. Layers and apples and crisps. Added sour apples to get multiple flavors. read more

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This was my first time at Birch and I'll definitely be back. The roasted beet salad was one of the better I've had and the crunchy vegetables with carrot sauce and seeds was a delicious and unique treat that I will attempt to recreate at home. The walleye in the entree was a super high quality filet that was expertly prepared! Service was attentive and the atmosphere relatively casual. read more

Are you hungry? I hope not. Do you have money to waste? If so, definitely go here. The ambience is good, the service is good, and the food tastes really good. The portions are appropriate for an 18 month old. I got the ricotta filled pasta and for a not cheap $23 I got 9 tiny pieces. It was like war rations. I know inflation is bad but this was comical. Go ahead and try it but make sure you eat before or have dinner plans after! If you are looking to actually have dinner try The Edison or Mason Street Grille. Similar vibe and price point but you actually get a meal! read more

Wow, I had heard great things about this restaurant, and they still blew me away. All around, I would recommend this place. The atmosphere is refined; seating options include a view of the kitchen or in the main dining area. There is also a bar area. Our server was knowledgeable on the menu items and was able to make great recommendations! For starters, we ordered the tomato salad and trout crudo. Both were incredible. The salad was so fresh and all the elements complimented each other well - sweetness from the nectarines, crispness from the tomato, etc. the trout also had a savory broth that it sat atop, and I loved the flavors in that. We also ordered focaccia with whipped ricotta and shishito peppers as well as a ricotta pasta; the focaccia was incredible. It is made with a blend of rye flour which gives it a darker and rich appearance but was still so light and fluffy. Lastly we ordered walleye and chicken for entrees. Both were cooked well and delicious, though not as outstanding as the other dishes we had. Overall, this meal was so incredibly satisfying and I would love to go back at some point. I think this is a wonderful place to celebrate a special occasion! read more

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Food was lovely. first season tomatoes were great. almost like a gazpacho. seasoned well!! first melons were great as well! had lemon cucumbers as well. avocado squash was unique and tasty buttermilk dressing was nice! Walleye was cooked to perfection! cheese plate was great! loved the small slices of brioche. Lola was great. efficient nice non intrusive. drinks were good too. only negative was it got so very very loud. couldn't really hear well at all. read more

I was totally blown away by my recent visit to Birch. We were really tempted to try the tasting menu, but in the end decided to get several selections from the regular menu. Every dish was absolutely delicious. We commented that usually when you go out there is one stand out dish, but we both agreed that everything we tried hit a home run. This menu was very seasonal - tomatoes, peaches, corn, peas, etc. so I can't wait to come back in other seasons. Service was also friendly and everything came out at a relaxed pace, which I really liked. It's a lovely location with huge windows and an open airy feel. read more

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Excellent We sat at the bar in the restaurant and had several small plates ... everything was excellent . My son was visiting from Vermont .... And he is the one who did the research on the chef... etc... read more

Milwaukee's finest and the BEST. Went back and took our friends. We were celebrating hubby's birthday. Amazing gesture from the kitchen. They sent a "beer tartare" for the four of us on the house. First of all, not a beet fan. However, what I ate was out of this world. My hubby is gluten intolerant and the wrapper they had the tartare was in was gluten free. I mean, the kitchen staff thinks of every little detail and hence, why the service at Birch is impeccable. Our friends who do not have an adventurous pallet, loved everything we ordered. We sent all the plates back clean and we are not ashamed. Not an ounce to be wasted. We continue to try other amazing restaurants in Milwaukee and still, nothing compares to Birch. Thank you for continuing to be amazing. read more

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Looking forward to experiencing our visit after seeing a recent episode on Wisconsin Foodie. We were welcomed w/o reservations but would recommend making them on busy Milwaukee nights . Delighted w my Old Fashioned but the jury still is out on my dinner mates Ramp Martini (oniony & interesting?). Service was impeccable (attentive but w/o rushing us). I left my wine decision up to Lola and she hit it out of the park! My ricotta pasta was amazing -the walleye was perfection. We took our suggestion for dessert again from our server and the mint meringue & port made the end of the evening spectacular A beautiful evening that was not just good food but food experienced. read more

Stopped in on a Friday night with a few friends for an absolutely delicious and FUN dinner. Ashley was our server and food guide for evening, and she did an impeccable job making sure that all our food allergy needs were met, all our questions were answered, and she was extremely thoughtful and charming. The food was both stunning and delicious, and we enjoyed our entire meal from start to finish. Highly recommend the carrot dish and pork chop, and the lemon pistachio dessert was a HIT with our table. Thank you, Ashley and team, for a wonderful evening - we appreciate you, and we will be back! read more

3 people dined and 2 out of 3 loved everything. The third's only problem was the ricotta filled pasta dish has lemon zest or juice but didn't say so on the menu. As, I am not a fan of lemon, the dish was not as expected despite being prepared and plated well. The waiter explained the kitchen adds citrus to lots of dishes, so if you're not a fan of citrus in meals, ask to leave it off. The ricotta filled pasta would have been 10/10 but for the lemon. On the other hand, my companion LOVED it as served. They had a tasting menu (a series of small bites covering many items; 6 courses) we almost considered trying. This required the whole table to agree at $86/person and we didn't reach a consensus because it was our first time there. But, given how everyone was overall very happy, we want to come back and try it. My favorite dishes were the focaccia small plate and the beef carpaccio. There were exquisite. read more

Birch - Ricotta filled pasta (they add lemon zest or juice but this wasn't on the menu) - New American Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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I cannot say enough good things about Birch. We've dined here 4 times and liked everything we ordered. The serving portions are relatively small, which we like because we can try multiple dishes without ordering too much in quality or spending too much money. Every dish is prepared artfully in terms of flavor combinations and presentations. The servers are always attentive and responsive. The atmosphere is very pleasing. The chefs do not rely on the trifecta (fact, sugar and salt) to get the flavor out. This is our favorite restaurant in MKE. read more

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What a fun girls night out dinner at @birchonpleasant! Highly recommend booking a reservation at the Chef's Table if you can! The restaurant features farm-to-table cuisine, offering the freshest ingredients to its diners. Chef Kyle has received two nominations from the James Beard Foundation Awards! Although they were a little behind with our reservation time, we headed to the bar to get a head start . We ordered Charred Beef Carpaccio for starters, Contramar Inspired Fish and Wood Roasted Pork Chop for our main course. Both our fish and pork chop were cooked perfectly with the right amount of seasoning. I do love the vibe of the restaurant. Very trendy yet classy and casual. Staff was attentive and made good recommendations on wine pairings. read more

A delightful, memorable evening at the Chef's Table with friends at Birch. Watching Chef/Owner Kyle and his team perform like a well oiled machine was an experience in itself. The food was top notch, as well as the service. All of the dishes we ordered were inventive and mouthwatering just even to look at. The flavors in each dish were all beautifully married and made this culinary adventure one that I will continue to sing praises for, for a very long time. The menu is well thought out and offers something for everyone. The portions are decent (not super-sized), which will allow you to try many new delights. While watching the kitchen staff creating these tasteful, beautifully plated dishes, we couldn't resist and we kept ordering more. Can't wait to return and try them all. Treat yourself! Five stars from me! read more

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vday prix fix menu!!!! everything was very good but nothing quite blew me away. the amuse bouche was very light but definitely still left behind a taste in your mouth. tuna tostada was small and delicious. i surprisingly did like the squash soup with the focaccia but i did think it was a bit saltier than what i'd have preferred. the ricotta cheese pasta was really good, the ricotta was super light but there was this citrus tang to the end of each bite and the small bits of jalapeño were a good touch. both entrees were very good but walleye won out by just a bit. the potato cheese puree was one of the best things i've ever had -- so light, cheesy and airy. dessert was a chocolate brownie which was very rich. I didn't leave dinner feeling too stuffed overall which was great. it was a lovely vday dinner with snow falling outside too!!!! service was great, felt like we were checked in on appropriately throughout meal. i felt like the pacing of dinner was a bit slow though. will definitely be back to try other items on the menu! read more

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What a wonderful night. When we arrived there was a birthday card waiting for us at the table signed by the staff. I knew my birthday was going to be great. Everything was delicious. We didn't do the tasting menu but will considerate when we return read more

I recently enjoyed the Chef's Counter at Birch with a friend, and I have to say it was the best meal I've experienced in Milwaukee. Seated at the counter, facing the open fire hearth, we were treated to seven delicious courses plus a surprise lagniappe of a peppered pate de fruit. I did not write down what we ate for each course, but I'll describe some of my favorites. * The charred beef carpaccio was pleasantly complex, providing a flavor intense yet somehow balanced bite. Even the greens were purposeful in adding to the flavor profile and not merely decoration. * The stuffed pasta with the apple slices?! So delicate, creamy, and sweet, but with a firm texture from the al dente pasta. * My favorite course? The cured foie gras torchon with challah bread. The Chef de Cuisine, Zach Cadtillo, ran this course to us and let us know this is a non-gavage foie gras, which eased my ethical mind. The soft chew of the challah (I could have eaten an entire loaf of that) with the melt in your mouth creaminess of the cured foie gras was dreamy. * The crust of that grilled flat iron?! Oh my. * Okay, not included in the tasting itself but 100% worth mentioning is they actually make old fashioneds made the "right" way. Spirit (in this case Pinhook bourbon), sugar and bitters. No fruit salad here, hah. There was so much to love. I personally would not have ordered some of these dishes if they were on a printed menu, but I'm so happy I was given them to experience. I surprised myself. I will also note it is refreshing to know that Chef Kyle locally sources the greens and meat from Stone Bank Farm in Oconomowoc. Everyone we interacted with was kind and knowledgeable from the hostess to the chefs to the food runners. The only nitpick I'd say is that the runners were quiet and hard to hear. Other than that, a perfect experience that I'd happily experience over and over again. When someone asks me what is the one meal I need to eat in Milwaukee, I'll say the Chef's Counter as Birch. read more

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Last night I returned to Birch after receiving a call and gift certificate for a previous experience that was not great. Wow!!!!! My friend and I ordered 5 dishes, and dessert. Each one was absolutely amazing. The freshness and flavor was spot on. Our wait person, Lola was lovely. Just the right amount of attentiveness, and she knew the perfect order of delivering the dishes. Outstanding meal and service. We loved everything about it from start to finish. read more

A pleasant brunch experience at the new Birch on Sunday. I had the brunch here about 3 years ago and I recalled the food was good but not like outstanding. The restaurant is still clean, modern, bright and spacious. Servers are still friendly. But the new Birch is definitely better when it comes to food and drinks. We started with a French cocktail & a Japanese cold brew (super strong coffee brewed directly over ice). Both drinks were decent. I liked my cold brew - complex, chocolately and strong. Then the "Small" appetizers were great too. The Charred Beef Carpaccio (w Horseradish Aioli, Grilled Greens & Crispy Shallot) is thin yet so flavorful. The edge of the meat and the shallot are perfectly cooked to be crispy and added the good texture to the dish. Highly recommend it. The Steelhead Trout Crudo has its unique cucumber and mint sauce and it's a very refreshing dish. The "Large" - My Grilled Avocado with smoked salmon is a balanced & yummy dish. I really enjoyed it. My friend said her Creamy WI Polenta and Braised Duroc Pork was good too. Overall, I think this is a good place to get brunch either alone or with friends or family. read more

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